Northboro priest removed in alleged thefts

Sunday

Oct 13, 2013 at 11:14 PM

By Shaun Sutner, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

NORTHBORO — The Rev. Stephen M. Gemme, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish, has been removed by Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Worcester Catholic Diocese for allegedly embezzling more than $230,000, in part to fuel a gambling problem.

Rev. Gemme, 44, has been in "residential treatment" since the thefts were uncovered in mid-July, according to a letter from the bishop posted on the parish website Saturday.

In the letter, the bishop said he was informed in July by a member of the parish school's advisory board about expenditures in an account in the school budget.

Bishop McManus said he met with the priest the next day, when Rev. Gemme acknowledged a gambling problem.

"I immediately revoked his authorization to sign checks, and we made arrangements for a medical leave of absence so Fr. Gemme could receive professional, residential evaluation and treatment," the bishop wrote.

A review of the parish's and the school's finances last week showed that apparently over the last four years, Rev. Gemme used more than $110,000 of school money and more than $120,000 of parish money for personal expenditures, the bishop said.

"As a result of the magnitude of the misuse of funds, the matter has been referred to the district attorney's office," according to the bishop's letter. "I am pursuing full restitution for the parish and the school."

Originally from Westminster, Rev. Gemme taught for five years at St. Peter-Marian Junior-Senior High School in Worcester before entering the seminary.

The Rev. Richard Reidy, vicar general for the diocese, will administer the parish. The Rev. John Hamm is serving as the pastor of the church as well as running the school.

Founded in 1997, the school has students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 8.

Contact Shaun Sutner at ssutner@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @ssutner